We are constantly being barraged with challenges like not wanting to hurt others, rules of what's 'right' & our natural inclinations to fit in. Oftentimes, speaking up goes against what we’ve been conditioned to do.

When I put together the class about the heart center for my Voga Series, I made a surprising discovery…..

The root of the word COURAGE is COR- the Latin translation is HEART. This word originally meant, “to speak one’s mind by telling all of one’s heart”

It makes sense that we now translate Courage as Being Brave or Heroic. It takes bravery to speak honestly about our experiences & express our emotions openly from our heart. Expressing our truth feels vulnerable. It gives me strength to remember that and honor it when I’m being brave.

Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do, When they settle 'neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight, Sometimes the shadow wins……

Oftentimes, our greatest power comes from speaking our truth. So, sometimes, it feels easier to stay in the shadows. But holding things in can damage our health and confuse our emotions. We do ourselves a great service when we take that deep breath and express our honest feelings. It enables us to step into our highest light and share our gifts.

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be BRAVE

With what you want to say, And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be BRAVE

And sometimes we also do the greatest service for others by saying the things they may not want to hear. It’s imperative to speak our words with kindness. Sometimes, it’s a whole ‘nother level of bravery to keep level headed and speak truth without yelling or condescending! But the point is that love is our ally if we want to be heard.

Everybody's been there, everybody's been stared down

By the enemy

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing

Bow down to the mighty

Don't run, stop holding your tongue

There are also situations where it’s not about being heard. The goal is simply to free ourselves - say our piece so that we can cultivate more inner peace. Standing in our power enables us to let go and move on towards things that serve our highest good.

Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Our greatest strength lies in what makes us different. And sometimes the bravest steps we take are those that lead us outside of the prosaic ‘box’. One of greatest things I’ve learned along the way is to do it Scared! There’s no shame in fear. Pushing past our comfort zone is what makes great things happen!

And since your history of silence

Won't do you any good

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don't you tell them the truth?

Sometimes, we are stuck between a ‘rock and a hard place’ – dammed if we do and dammed if we don’t!! I think at the end of the day, BRAVE is the decision that serves your highest spirit and enables you to be true to & empower the most important person…. Yourself :)

And yes, it is brave to be yourself, speak your truth and let your light shine!